Campus Ministries director to be installed
The Rev. Brian T. Johnson, Executive Director of Campus Ministries, will be installed during the Institute of Liturgical Studies Evening Worship Eucharist Service at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 16, at the Chapel of the Resurrection at Valparaiso University. The Rev. Charlene Cox, University Pastor, is presiding, and the Rev. Ben Stewart is preaching.
The installation will be conducted by Bishop Rev. William O. Gafkjen of the Indiana-Kentucky Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
The public is welcome to attend. Clergy are invited to vest in white.
Johnson began his duties at Valparaiso University as executive director of campus ministries, a unit comprised of the Chapel of the Resurrection, the Institute for Leadership and Service (which includes the present Center for Church Vocations), and the Center for Church Relations in June 2011.
Johnson came to Valparaiso after having served for 15 years as Campus Chaplain and as Artistic Director of “Christmas in Christ Chapel” at Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minn. In addition to his pastoral leadership at Gustavus Adolphus, he has held a variety of administrative roles addressing vocational reflection, service learning, church relations, and inter-religious dialogue.
Johnson is also widely recognized for his work in enhancing worship, music, and the arts. He served from 1998 to 2006 as Chaplain of the Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival, a premier independent, inter-Lutheran organization supporting young musicians in the church. Johnson has published numerous articles on worship, music, and preaching, and co-edited “The Spirit of Service: Exploring Faith, Service Learning, and Social Justice” and “Stories from Christian Neighbors: A Heart for Ecumenism.”
Johnson earned his B.A. from Gustavus Adolphus College, his Master of Divinity from Luther Theological Seminary, and his Master of Sacred Theology from Yale University. Prior to becoming Campus Chaplain at Gustavus Adolphus, he was chaplain at the Lutheran/Episcopal campus ministry at the University of Kansas, pastor of St. James Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, and chaplain at United Hospital in St. Paul.